Retevis RT85 vs TYT TH-UV88

The Retevis RT85 is the clear winner here. Both radios are functionally identical on paper: same 5W output, same features list (or lack thereof), and both support CHIRP programming. No weather rating is listed for either.

The single most important differentiator is price and owner feedback. The RT85 costs $40 and owners report a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 270 reviews, giving you substantial real-world data about what buyers experienced. The TYT TH-UV88 has an unknown price and only a single 5-star review, which provides no meaningful insight into typical owner experience.

The RT85 should go to anyone wanting a budget handheld with confidence in their purchase based on proven owner satisfaction. The TYT TH-UV88 might appeal to someone who already knows they want that specific model or has found pricing elsewhere, but you'll be buying almost blind.

Get the Retevis RT85. It costs less, has solid owner feedback from a real sample size, and the specs match the TYT exactly. Unless you have a specific reason for the TYT, there's no reason to take that gamble.